2018 BMW M5 (F90) makes virtual debut in Need For Speed Payback

Just a few days after the 2018 BMW M5 (F90) was released, the exact same model makes another debut - in the virtual world instead. You will get drive it in the upcoming Need for Speed Payback game that will be capable with PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The title will be officially released on November 10.

If you could remember, back in 2015, it was the M2 that made its debut in the racing game. Back in the day, you could only drive the M3 GTR in Shift (2009) and the M3 in the Most Wanted title that became quite big in 2005. But BMW’s partnership with Need for Speed goes way back to 1999 when the M5 can be driven in the very first Need for Speed game - that was 18 years ago.

Now, let us talk about the real-life model. Though it may not look far from the 520d, that is because the biggest change is in the powertrain. BMW engineers have turbocharged the M5’s familiar 4.4 liter V8 engine, which corroborated with the increased fuel injection pressure, now enabling the car to carry out as much as 600 horses (441 kilowatts) and 553 pound-feet (750 Newton metres) of torque.

The new M5 can now give power to the front wheels if the driver prefers an all wheel drive setup. But this feature can be turned off for a pure rear wheel drive mode for better drifting. The range-topping 5 Series will also feature the xDrive that comes as a standard.

As for pricing, the 2018 M5 will have a starting price of €117,900 in Europe and customers can start placing their orders in September. There is a noticeable price difference between the M5 and the E63 which has a €110,110 price tag, making it around €7,000 more expensive. But it is cheaper than the E63 S that costs €121,891.

For those of you who want to opt for something more unique, but are also willing to pay a little more, there is the First Edition BMW M5 that features a beautiful Frozen Dark Red Metallic paint exclusively by BMW Individual. There will only be 400 examples of the First Edition, and only 50 of those are going to be delivered to the United States. With this exclusive paint job, expect an extra €19,500, which makes every M5 cost a grand total of €137,400.

Having said that, would you opt for the standard M5, the First Edition model, or would you be fine settling with a Need for Speed video game (which will cost nothing close to the actual model)?

Press Release

BMW and EA Debut the All-new BMW M5 in Need for Speed Payback.

Today, Electronic Arts and the BMW Group debuted the all-new BMW M5 (fuel consumption combined: 10.5 l/100 km [26.9 mpg imp]*; CO2 emissions combined: 241 g/km*) in Need for SpeedTM Payback, the action driving blockbuster releasing this fall. This marks first time BMW has revealed a car through a videogame partnership, unveiling the new BMW M5 at gamescom, Europe’s biggest trade fair for interactive games and entertainment. The new BMW M5 builds on the traditional concept of a luxurious four-door business sedan by appealing to drivers with a taste for high speed and adrenaline. Need for SpeedTM Payback players will be among the first to experience the new M xDrive all-wheel drive as they tear through the city streets and diverse landscape of Fortune Valley this fall.

“The new BMW M5 is a stunning car,” said Marcus Nilsson, Executive Producer at Ghost Games. “With immense horsepower and torque combined with gorgeous design, our players are going to love getting behind the wheel of the new M5. Whether it’s pulling off intense heist missions, or outrunning cops in epic pursuits or just cruising the open world, this car embodies performance, speed and desire, making it one of the pinnacle rides in Need for SpeedTM Payback.”

The M5 takes the BMW M-series into new territory, with 441 kW/600 hp, peak torque of 750 Nm and 10.5 l/100 km fuel consumption combined/ 241 g/km CO2 emissions combined, which promise supreme propulsive power and formidable performance. The new M xDrive developed by BMW M GmbH is the most engaging all-wheel-drive system yet to grace the high-performance segment and will be on display across various terrains in Need for SpeedTM Payback.

“The M is not only synonymous for the world’s most powerful letter, but has also become a synonym worldwide for the prototype of the Ultimate Driving Machine. Take a look at the new BMW M5: its power output, torque and acceleration, the M specific all-wheel drive system M xDrive and its stunning design make our all-new toy the perfect feature for Need for Speed,” said Frank van Meel, President BMW M Division. “While the M5 won’t be officially released until next spring, Need for Speed players can drive it first and exclusively in Need for SpeedTM Payback. We at BMW M are really proud of this collaboration.”

“Young, enthusiastic and 100% devoted to their passion: This is not only true for BMW M fans but also for millions of gamers around the globe, who love Need for SpeedTM. BMW is joy and excitement for cars, whether it is in real life or digital,” said Hildegard Wortmann, Senior Vice President Brand BMW. “With this cooperation BMW can reach out to a new audience that is truly digital. This is a perfect example for a fruitful cooperation in modern marketing with benefits for everyone and a new milestone after the BMW M2’s debut in 2015’s Need for SpeedTM.”

BMW and Need for SpeedTM share a long tradition together. Already in 1997 BMW had its first appearance in the game, in 1999 the BMW M5 was for the first time in Need for SpeedTM. BMW was part of the history of Need for SpeedTM ever since: Whether it was the BMW M3 in 2005’s Need for SpeedTM Most Wanted, the BMW M3 GTR in Need for SpeedTM Shift in 2009, and many other appearances of BMW M4, M6 and many alike. Just recently the new BMW M2 entered the stage in 2015’s Need for SpeedTM.

Need for SpeedTM is one of the world’s bestselling video game franchises.

Its latest instalment, Need for SpeedTM Payback, will be available worldwide on November 10th for Xbox One, PlayStation®4, and Origin™ for PC. Need for SpeedTM Payback Deluxe Edition owners will get their three-day early access starting Tuesday, November 7th. Players can also get into the action before launch through EA Access and Origin Access, where members can play for up to 10 hours starting Thursday, November 2nd with the EA Access and Origin Access Play First Trial.